The Takedown: The enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating spy romcom you need this Christmas!

by Carlie Walker

"I think about mistletoe and the dimples on his lower back and - oh yes - how I've seduced him for the government"

'Nick is hot, and cute and a serious book boyfriend material' 5* Reader Review

With enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating and undercover agents, The Takedown is a sweet and spicy holiday romcom that is Miss Congeniality meets Mr and Mrs Smith. Perfect for fans of B.K. Borison and Emily Henry.
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He wants to take her out. She wants to take him down...

Sydney's mission is simple:

1. Stop her little sister from marrying a notorious criminal
2. Seduce his bodyguard to gather intel for the FBI
3. Definitely do not fall in love...

Undercover agent Sydney is going home for Christmas. She's just discovered that her younger sister, Calla, is engaged to Johnny Jones - the heir to the nation's most notorious crime dynasty - and she's determined to stop their perfect winter wedding at any cost.

But gathering incriminating evidence on Johnny isn't as easy as she thought, especially as her biggest obstacle is Nick, his infuriatingly handsome and charming bodyguard!

The more time Sydney spends with Nick lines begin to blur. Seducing him to gather evidence was bad enough. But falling for him? Now that's even worse.

Soon Sydney is faced with a difficult decision: one that certainly wasn't covered in her training . . .

Tropes:
· Small town
· One bed trope
· Spicy
· Enemies-to-lovers
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'Fun, flirty, and fabulous!' Laura Jane Williams
'WAY TO GO CARLIE. GIVE ME MORE PLS' 5* Reader Review
'A hilarious, smart and swoony joy of a romcom' Cressida McLaughlin
'Enemies to lovers? Check. Check. Sexy spies? Check!' 5* Reader Review
'A masterclass in how to create sizzling chemistry. Five stars!' Lorraine Brown

• ISBN10: 1398718173
• ISBN13: 9781398718173
• Publish Date: 3 October 2023
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
• Imprint: Orion
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Book Summary:

Sydney Swift is an undercover CIA agent. As such, she has to make certain sacrifices in her life. Not getting to see her sister all that much, for example. Or not getting to make it home for the holidays. Or perhaps getting sent home to spy on her sister's new fiance.

Wait, what was that last one? This is the last job that Sydney could have ever wanted, and yet she's the only one in the CIA who can get close to Johnny Jones – the heir to an organized crime dynasty. All she has to do is navigate the holidays, get the intel, and hopefully not fall for the bodyguard.

My Review:

This may be the most fun I've had reading a book in a hot minute. The Takedown was exactly the book I needed when I needed it! (Side note: I read this book while recovering from Covid, so I did need a happy romance).

My only regret about reading The Takedown now is that I should have waited until Christmas. Given the setting, that would have felt appropriate. Still! It was a delight to read about Sydney and the challenges her work/family life dropped at her feet.

Speaking of Sydney, I love that this book lets her be kickass and stubborn. She's a tough heroine, and nothing is going to change that. Not even family drama, a holiday, or falling in love. Granted, at least two of those weren't planned.

I'm so happy I took the time to read The Takedown. Now, excuse me, I must follow Carlie Walker on Goodreads. Can't miss the next book!

Highlights:
Contemporary Romance
Undercover Shenanigans
Forced Proximity

Thanks to Berkley and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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